Riccarton filly Miss Federer will attempt to extend her distance range when she clashes with North and South Island One Thousand Guineas hopefuls at Ashburton on Saturday.
The Andrew Carston-trained filly will take on six northern raiders and seven of her southern counterparts in the 1400m Barnswood Farm Classic.
Carston is confident his three-time stakes race winning filly will handle her first attempt at racing past 1200m well.
''I think she will get 1400m, especially at Ashburton,'' he said.
''It is a track that is suited to front-runners - it is a speed track, and I am pretty confident she will get the 1400m around there.''
Miss Federer fought hard to score a front-running win in the listed Canterbury Belle Stakes in her last start.
The filly did not seem like a horse looking to step up in distance when her break of five lengths on the field was whittled to just a neck on the line.
However, after talking to rider Kylie Williams, Carston has a different take on the race.
''She is the kind of filly that loves a dogfight and we have seen that in the past.
''Kylie said she pricked her ears a bit when she saw the other horse coming.''
Williams will undoubtedly try to land Miss Federer in the lead again on Saturday.
Whether the filly can take the front, and the work she has to do to get there, could dictate her winning chances.
Carston is confident his filly's brilliant early speed will see her land a good position.
''The speed that she shows from the gate, I think she will get a position, whether that is in front or near the lead,''
On yesterday's market opening, Miss Federer was the third-favourite for Saturday's race, at $6.
North Island raider Kali opened the favourite at $3.50, ahead of hype maiden winner Okay Pal at $5.50.
Carston will use the Barnswood Farm Stakes up for the One Thousand Guineas as a guide to whether or not Miss Federer steps up even further in distance and runs out the 1600m of the New Zealand Cup Carnival feature strongly.
''Saturday is an important race for her,'' Carston said.
- Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk
